American Woman Convicted of Receiving Military Training from ISIS in Syria

 

The Defendant Received Training from the Nusaybah Katiba, a Military Battalion Made Up of Female ISIS Members

Today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Halima Salman, also known as “Umm Khattab al-Muhajir,” of receiving military-type training from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Syria.  Salman, a U.S. citizen and former resident of Brooklyn, was convicted after a seven-day trial before United States District Judge Natasha C. Merle. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“With today’s verdict, Salman is held accountable for joining forces with a terrorist organization,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “ISIS ravaged Syria and caused havoc across the globe; our Office will continue to prosecute those who supported its murderous reign.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. Department of the Army, the U.K. Ministry of Defense, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s National Security & Cyber Law Branch, the U.S. Department of War Office of the General Counsel, and the U.S. Department of State for their assistance.

“The atrocities committed by ISIS, including mass executions, sexual slavery, and the systematic terrorizing of civilian populations, represent some of the gravest crimes of our time,” stated Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg. “There is simply no excuse for aligning with or receiving military training from an organization responsible for such suffering. Today’s verdict sends a clear message that those who support this death cult will be found and prosecuted.”

“Halima Salman knowingly sought out terrorist training from ISIS in Syria, she subscribed to their belief system and learned how to use weapons of mass violence.  Defending the homeland will always be the top priority of the FBI, and anyone found guilty of supporting a Foreign Terrorist Organization will be investigated and prosecuted. Today’s verdict is a victory in the relentless fight against terrorism in the U.S.,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As proved at trial, in September and October 2016, Salman’s parents traveled with her and her eight siblings out of the United States, ultimately destined for ISIS-controlled territory in Syria.

Following her July 2017 marriage to an ISIS fighter in Syria, Salman, then 18 years old, voluntarily sought military-type training and received authorization to carry an assault rifle from ISIS, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  Salman received a document certifying that she successfully completed that training, a copy of which was found on her husband’s cellphone after it was recovered from the battlefield.  Also on her husband’s device were photos depicting Salman, including one image with an ISIS flag in the background, as well as a video that shows her brandishing an AK-47 rifle.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.